Rigel Thurston
Communications Director
Rigel, whose name was inspired by the star his parents navigated by on their homebuilt sailboat from San Francisco to Hawaii, is a passionate advocate for building community and fostering creative expression. With a diverse range of experiences and interests, Rigel brings a unique perspective to the Institute.
As the founder of the online songwriting community "100 Days of Songwriting," Rigel has a track record of building communities from scratch. He also has over 15 years of experience in the residential real estate industry, and has been a performing musician in Austin, Texas for over 20 years, spanning genres such as Jazz, Blues, Pop, and Rock.
Rigel's commitment to community extends beyond music, as he has also been involved in building a neighborhood association and running a meetup group called Austin Community Living. He is an active member at St. John The Forerunner Orthodox Church and finds solace in the refreshing waters of Barton Springs during the scorching Texas summers.
While based in Austin, Texas, Rigel and his family also own land in Abiquiu, New Mexico, where they are building a space for creative retreat to fuel their art and music. With his passion for community-building, creative expression, and diverse experiences, Rigel brings a unique perspective to the Institute.
Leadership Roles
100 Days of Songwriting Community, Founder
100 Days of Songwriting is a motivational and inspirational community that helps songwriters, composers, lyricists, and producers get into the habit of writing, sharing, and collaborating so that we all move the needle forward—finish songs, share albums and illuminate our gifts.
